Bookmaking machine



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INVENTORS EMIL H. SCHULER ROBERT C. SCHULER y 4, 1963 R. c. SCHULER ETAL 3,089,534

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United States Patent 3,089,534 BOOKMAKING MACHENE Robert C. Schiller, 323 Hoffman Ave, and Emil H. Schiller, 329 Hoffman Ave, both of New Milford, NJ. Filed Dec. 1, 1959, Ser- No. 856,445 14 Claims. (Cl. 156-357) This invention relates to a machine for carrying out several operations in the normal bookmarking procedure, and in particular to the operations commonly referred to as crash application and headband and backl-ining application, and the gluing openation's associated therewith.

In the usual and conventional bookm-aking procedure the plurality of sections or signatures which make up the completed book are, at some phase of the over-all bookmaking procedure, treated along the backs thereof with one or several pieces of muslin or the like, which are adhesively secured to the said backs. These pieces are termed crasl Following the application of the crash, there is usually applied over the crash a backlining and a headband. Many machines are available for ap plying either glue alone, glue and crash; glue, crash, more glue and backlining; glue, crash, glue, backlining and headbands, 'and it is, of course, obvious, that the most desirable machine would be one that can perform any one of the aforementioned functions alone or in combination with the versatility, accuracy and high quality of workmanship that can be achieved with machines performing a single or at most a dual operation. A further factor which must be considered in machines and operations of the type herein contemplated is the speed and smooth continuity of operation which is desired and therefore necessary in our present day mass production technology, and in order to achieve such ends of speed and continuity of operation, it is necessary that the various operations be so carefully controlled that the quality of the finished product meets the highest standards towards which there is a constant striving. In order to achieve the highest quality in the finished book, the following tolerances and requirements must be met:

1. Close and consistent alignment of the crash and backlining.

2. Absence of any head of give at the head or tail of the book as a result of the glue application during any of the operations performed by the machine.

3. Full and suflicient coverage of glue over the back of the book.

4. Absence of marks on the book due to machine operation.

5. The headbands are to register within from the head and tail of the books.

The present invention provides a machine which not only meets the requirements of (1) and but also offers the heretofore unattainable desideratums set forth in (2), (3), and (4). The instant machine furthermore provides by virtue of its unique construction the widest versatility and range of any similar or related machine available today.

The present invention further provides a machine, which in addition to the aforementioned characteristics, can be employed with books of any type, regardless of whether they are Smyth sewn, side-stitched, stapled, trimmed, flat back, rounded back or rounded and hacked to apply crash, backlining and headband material or any one or two of these with the omission of the others.

The attainment of items (1) and (5) above are achieved in the machine of the present invention by a unique and controlled arrangement of activating sites cooperating with a multitude of mechanical parts all coacting in unison to give accurate and consistently attainable perfection. Items (2), (3), and (4) are made possible by the same features producing the outstanding results of items (1) and (5), but in addition certain other novel elements are introduced which permit these items to be fully realized. In the description of the machine which will appear hereinafter, these various unique factors will be more fully explained and described.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a machine which can expeditiously handle books of varying thickness.

It is another object of this invention to provide means for applying glue to the backs of books, regardless of the shape of the said backs.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means for applying glue to the backs of books in a man- .ner which avoids the formation of glue heads at the head and tail of the book.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a machine which can apply crash, 'backlining and headband elements to the back of the signatures comprising the book with great speed and accuracy.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a machine which can apply glue in a uniform manner over the entire back area of the book regardless of the shape or thickness of the said back.

It is still another further object of the present invention to provide a machine having means to apply a precisely controlled amount of glue to a predetermined selected area.

It is still another object of the instant invention to provide a machine which accomplishes each of the foregoing objects while the hooks are moving constantly and rapidly through the machine.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description thereof and the accompanying claims, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which by way of illustration show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles involved therewith and what is considered to be the best mode contemplated for the application of the said principles.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like referenec numerals and characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and figures;

FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional side view of the machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a plurality of books in progress through the various fundamental unit operations performed by the machine;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the machine of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a right hand end view or cross-sectional view at the book-exit end of the machine of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the glue station carriage taken along the line Ill-14 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front sectional view of the spiral gears and carriage support and adjusting means taken along the line 11-41 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the glue assembly comprising the rollers and associated glue pot taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the switch assembly for activatin g the application of glue;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the switch assembly shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the switch assembly;

FIG. 16 is a back view of the switch assembly for activating the stations which apply the crash and the backlining and headband material;

FIG. 17 is a vertical section of the crash assembly taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a partial section of the crash assembly taken along the same View as FIG. 17 but instead of the said assembly being in the neutral position, it is here shown approximately midway in its functioning cycle with the crash having been cut and pressed into adhesive engagement with the glue-coated back of the signatures making up the book;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the crash assembly taken along the line 19-49 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a front vertical section of the crash assembly taken along the line 20-20 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is a feed-in side vertical section of the backlining and headband assembly taken along the line 21- 21 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the center portion of FIG. 21 with the knife and platform partially through the cycle;

FIG. 23 is a vertical section of the backlining and headband assembly taken along the line 23-23 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a front vertical section of the rub-down assembly taken along the line 24-24 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 25 is a plan view of the rub-down assembly of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a right hand end view of the rub-down assembly of FIG. 24.

The machine of this invention which is designated by reference numeral 2 comprises, in general, a frame support 4, a feed station or assembly 6, a first glue station (or assembly) 8, a crash station 10 where the crash is applied to the glued back of the book, a second glue station 12, a backlining and headband assembly or station 14, a rub-down station 16, and finally a delivery station 17. In addition to these fundamental unit operations, the machine, of course, and also contains numerous other elements, all of which however serve to put into operation or support or assist these unit functions. These additional elements will be described in greater detail as the description of the entire machine appears hereinafter.

A general description of the over-all operation of the machine will be given in order to make more clear and concise the much more detailed description which will follow.

The plurality of signatures which make up the book (except for the cover member, usually) are placed as one unit book between guide rails of feed station 6 and held with the back 3 of the book down in conforming engagement with track 110. This track is shaped to the contour of the back of the book and may be readily interchanged with another track for a different shaped back. The track is secured by means of clamp 116 to cross rail 60. The book is pushed along the track until a pair of endless belts 7 on either side of the track take over the feed. These feed belts are driven at approximately the same speed and preferably at a somewhat slower speed than the chain conveyor system 9, which carries the books through the entire machine until final delivery. The feed belts 7 feed the book into the chain conveyor system and the first operation upon the book backs may now be performed. This first operation is a glue application performed by the first glue station 8. This station is controlled by a double acting switch assembly 11 having two fingers or contacts 118 and 119. After the proper and controlled amount of glue has been applied, the book continues without stopping to the next station, which is the crash station 10. This station consists of two units, the crash unit and the crash application section, designated in the drawings as 35 and 13 respectively. The crash unit comprises the elements which feed and prepare the proper length of crash 15 which is fed from roll of crash 19. The crash application section comprises those elements which apply the selected length of crash to the back of the book and conform the crash to the contour of the back and adjacent sides 21 and 23. The crash station is activated by a switch which is similar to the glue station switch except that the former has only one finger. The next phase of the operation is another application of glue which is necessary to receive and secure the backlining and headband material to be subsequently applied. The second glue station 12 is similar to the first glue station 8, and the activating mechanism is identical to the switch assembly 11. The next operation as mentioned above is the application of backlining and headband. This is carried out at the backlining and headband station which consists, again, of two units, the backlining and headhand unit and the backlining and headband application section. The entire station is designated as 14 in the drawings, and the two individual components as 25 and 27. This entire station is controlled by a switch assembly identical to that controlling the crash station. Following the backlining and headband application, the back of the books are passed over a series of rubber rollers which comprise the rub-down station 16. In addition this station also has a series of strips or fingers, positioned in two rows whereby the bottom edges of the book are wiped or pressed. The final section of the machine comprises the delivery station 17 which is similar to the feed station 6 in that it comprises a pair of endless bclts running at the same speed as the chain conveyor system 9.

Referring now specifically to the various drawings, there follows in much greater detail the intricates of the machine of the present invention with special attention to the unusual cooperation between the various elements thereof, and the unique construction of many of these elements and the outstanding and unexpected improve ments to be derived therefrom.

The entire machine which is supported on frame support 4 is supplied with power from drive motor 18, which through radial bevel gears 20 and 22 drives the two main power trains. As long as the motor 18 is running power is transmitted to gear 22 which is secured to shaft 29, and through this shaft power is supplied to each of the stations. Concentric with bevel gear 20 and secured to the latter is shaft 31 which transmits power through clutch 24 to chain drive 26. This chain drive supplies the motive force to shaft 33 to which are connected a series of bevel gears 32, 34, 36, and 33. Gears 36 and 38 are secured to shafts 40 and 42 respectively. The latter two shafts carry at the upper ends thereof sprocket wheels 44 and 46, which drive the conveyor chain system 9. When clutch 24 is in engagement and driving chain 26, bevel gears 32 and 36 are in engagement with bevel gears 34 and 38 respectively causing the chain conveyor system to be in motion. Handle 28 serves to engage or disengage the clutch 24. Movement of handle 28 also causes limit switch 31) to activate or deactivate the various switch assemblies which control the energization of the various unit operations of the machine. Thus when handle 28 serves to disengage the clutch 24, limit switch 30 is so positioned as to de-energize the switch assemblies which control the functioning of the two glue stations, the crash station and the backlining and headband station. At the same time, of course, the chain conveyor system 9 is deactivated. The entire chain conveyor system is carried on and secured to castings 70, 72, 74, and 76 on the front of the machine, and on the back of the machine or to the rear thereof to castings 78, 80, 82, and 84. The front or forward castings are slidably mounted ona series of substantially parallel rails 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, and 68, whereas the rear castings are fixedly mounted in position by means of, for example, set screw 86. The purpose of the slidable mounting of the forward or front part of the chain conveyor system is to permit sliding movement thereof so as to enable the machine to adjust to varying thicknesses of books. By means of handle 88 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front section of the chain conveyor system may be moved inwardly or outwardly relative to the rear or fixed section of the chain conveyor system and the frame of the machine. This inward and outward movement is accomplished by rotation of spiral gear 96 which is fixedly secured to a shaft portion of the handle, through gear 98 to spiral gear 109. The latter gear is fixed to shaft 191 which terminates in threads 90 forming thereby an elongated screw which engages threads in an opening through a projection 91 on casting 7t Mounted through the center of gear 98 is traverse rod or shaft 94 which transmits the same in and out motion to screw 92 as is transmitted to screw 90 when the handle 88 is rotated. Screw 92 is mounted similarly as screw 91? in a projection 93 on casting 72. Rotation of shaft 94 upon which is fixedly secured spiral gear 95 causes rotation of screw 92 due to engagement of gear with spiral gear 97 which is mounted on screw 92.

The chain conveyor system 9 as described above is driven by sprocket wheels 44 and 46. Wheel 44 drives the forward or front chain conveyor and wheel 46 drives the rear chain conveyor. In FIG. 8 there will be seen in great detail the essential elements of the chain drive mechanism. The forward chain conveyor is designated by reference numeral 48 and the rear chain conveyor by numeral 511. The moving conveyor comprises plates 52 secured as shown in the drawings to upper lugs 51 and lower lugs 59. Mounted between the upper and lower lugs are rollers 53, and the entire chain conveyor rides in track rail 55 by virtue of rearwardly extending projections of lugs 51 and 59, the former engaging the top of the rail and the latter a groove in the body of the rail. Adjacent rollers are connected in the conventional manner by side extensions of the lugs. In the rear conveyor both front and rear tracks 55 are similar to the front track 55 of the forward chain conveyor, but the rear track 57 of the forward conveyor section is mounted in a sliding engagement with a lower fixed section 67, and as clearly shown in FIG. 17, the slidable portion of the track is springdoaded by means of screw 61 and spring 63. The pressure of the spring 63 against rigid shoulder 65 causes a similar pressure to be exerted against movable section 57 of the track. Screw or shaft 61 is the guide around which the movable section is held.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 6, it will be seen that sprocket wheels 54 and 56 at the feed-in end section of the machine merely serve to guide the chain conveyor systems with no motive force except that derived from the motion of the chains themselves. These sprocket wheels are further adjustable in the direction of the movement of the chain system through the machine in order to increase or decrease tension on the chains.

As has been mentioned above both the feed-in and the delivery stations contain a pair of endless belts which are driven by gears 102 through idlers 104 driven in turn by gears 106 which are secured to the underside of the sprocket wheels as clearly depicted in FIG. 4. In addition to driving gears 102, the endless belt system also comprises for each belt several idlers 108, two for each belt being specifically shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 wherein various views and all of the detailed elements of the glue assembly are given, the glue application roller 1211 consists of a unique air-filled hypenboloid rubber (or equivalent material) roller or section 122 mounted on a suitable body 124 which may be fabricated from wood, metal, plastic or the like. Through the body or hub 124 6 there is an inlet orifice 128 and a valve 126. The orifice and valve serve as means to communicate between the enclosed space within the rubber roller and the exterior of glue roller 121). By the selection and adjustment of the pressure within the roller varying shapes of the glue applyin gsurface may be obtained. Such shapes may vary from deep concave to flat to convex to insure the greatest conformance to the back of the book, and at the same time obtain satisfactory conformance with the convexity of the pick-up roller 132. The latter is generally fabricated from metal, and prefer bly brass. The rubber applicator roller on a driven shaft 131) and secured to the latter as by nut 133 is at all times in full engagement with the brass pickup roller 132, and both rollers are driven by the power train originating with chain drive 156 on sprocket wheel 158. Secured to this wheel is bevel gear which engages bevel gear 162. This gear is mounted on shaft which has a key slot 172 to permit sliding movement of the bevel gear 162 relative to shaft 170. This shaft passes through suitable bearings 178 and drives gear 172 which in turn drives gear 174 which drives gear 176, thereby giving rise to opposed rotations at about the same speed, since the gears 174 and 176 are about of equal size, of the rubber applicator roller and the brass pick-up roller. The pick-up roller 132 is mounted on shaft 134 and secured thereto as by nut 137. The pick-up roller sits partially immersed in glue pot assembly 136 which is composed of an upper section for holding the glue 139, and a lower ection 140 for holding a heat exchange fluid, for example, water 141, to give in effect a double boiler. The upper section of this assembly is designated by reference numeral 138. In association with the lower section 140 of the glue pot assembly is a funnel-ended inlet 142. The latter con1- municates with the bottom portion of this section. In communication with the top portion of this section and passing through the upper glue-holding section is a tube or pipe 143, which as indicated in the drawing dips into the funneled end of 142 so that any fluids rising in the tube 143 may be recycled to the lower section and thereby prevent any undue loss of this fluid. A suitable heater, preferably of the immersion type, shown on the drawings as 145, is employed to heat the fluid in lower pot 140; which in turn heats the glue 139 in the upper pot 138 and thus. renders the glue suitable in viscosity for application. The entire glue assembly is mounted on glue assembly support 144, which consists of casting 152 which is movable along guide and support rails 148 and 146 by means of turn screw 150 with a handle 154. The purpose for slidably mounting the glue assembly is to permit the proper positioning of the glue application holler under the back of the book due to the different thickness of books which can be handled. Upon actuation by switch assembly 11, solenoid 167 exerts a pull force on plunger 169, which causes arm 168 to effect movement in an arc of plates 66, acting against pull-down spring 164, and since these plates are journalled at the upper ends thereof to the shaft 130 upon which the applicator roller 120 is mounted, this roller 120 is caused to rotate in a similar manner as plates 166 around glue pick-up roller 132. This notation of the glue applicator roller brings this roller into glue applying position with respect to the back 3 of book 1. The power to drive chain 156 is received through lower sprocket gear 159 mounted on main drive shaft 29.

The next station is the crash station depicted in FIGS. l7, l8, l9, and 20. Referring specifically to these figures and first to FIG. 20, sprocket wheel 184 dnives shaft 232. The power to this gear is by way of drive chain 182 in engagement with sprocket gear on the main drive shaft 29. No power is transmitted to shaft 232 until the crash station is activated by the switch 71 and associated finger73. Through clutch 186 is the power from the main drive shaft 29 transmitted via gear 180, chain 182, and sprocket gear 184, to shaft 232. Rotation of the latter shaft imparts rotation to cams 194 and 196 fixedly secured to the said shaft. Through cam nollers aosaasa 202 and 204 associated with said cams 194 and 196 respectively, the said rollers engaging cam slots 201 and 203, movement of slides 198 and 200, generally in an upward direction, is effected. At the upper end of slide 200', there is a pivotable connection to one end of forming bar 222. This pivotable connection or fulcrum is designated by reference numeral 206. On the other hand, on the upper postion of slide 198 there is attached as by pivot 218, link bar 216 which connects the slide 198 to the other end of the forming bar 222 at pivot 220. Due to the selected shape of cams 194 and 196, the linear upward movements of slides 198 and 200 are not the same. The net effect of the movements of the slides is that the section of the forming bar vicinal to fulcrum 206 reaches the end of its upward movement before the opposed end thereof which is attached to pivot 220 has completed its upward movement. The result is an upward movement of the forming bar followed by a rotation around fulcrum 206 whereby the crash which is in position to be applied to the book is cut and formed around the back and adjacent sides of the book as clearly shown in FIG. 18. The rear section 199 of forming bar 222 comprises knife holder 210 for movable knife 268, and the forward edge 193 of the knife holder acts as the means to form the crash around and into adhesive engagement with side 23 of the book 1. The fixed knife holder 214 carries the fixed knife 212, the latter cooperating with knife 208 to cut the crash. In its upward movement the forming bar picks up the rake 223, the fingers 225 of which are engaged by the cut-out portions 227 of the forming bar 222, and specifically are engaged by the bottom surface 229 of the said cut-out portions, and lifts the rake into slight pressure engagement with the crash on the bottom surface 3 of the book. The amount of this engagement is controlled by the height to which the rake is lifted and this is determined by height adjustment of the lift screws 224 and 226, the former mounted in the rear section of the forming bar and the screw 226 mounted in the front section of the said bar. It will further be noted that the front section of the forming bar is slid ably adjustable along stud 230, and fixed in a selected position by screw 228, whereby the different widths of books to be accommodated and the corresponding different lengths of crash may be handled.

With specific reference to the rake 223, at the bottom side thereof and proximate either end, there 'is fixedly secured studs 213 and 215 havingshoulders at the lower ends thereof designated by reference numerals 221 and 231 respectively. Each stud rides in a tubular member 209 and 211, the latter members being fixedly mounted on platforms 205 and 207, which platforms are secured to the frame 188, the supporting structure for the crash assembly. The studs 213 and 215 act as guide means inside of the tubes 209 and 211. Beneath each of the platforms 2G5 and 207 and around the lower ends of the studs 213 and215 are springs 217 and 219. The function of these springs is to return the rake 223 to its normal position after the cycle has been completed, and this normal position is just below the level at which the crash is fed.

With further reference to the crash forming and application mechanism, it is to be noted that at each end of the forming bar 222 and similarly at each end of the rear section 199 of the forming member are guide studs which engage a channel in the frame member 188. These studs are shown in FIG. as reference numerals 233 and 235 on the front forming bar 222.

As described above the various motions and operations of the crash station begin upon activation of the station by switch 71 through book-contact with finger 73 of the switch. Contact with finger 73 of the switch causes activation of solenoid 190 for a momentary impulse whereby the latch 192 is disengaged from its locking position of the cam shaft 232. In FIG. 17 it will be discerned that the latch (in dotted lines) has just released the clutch and movement thereof is about to start. Upon release 8 the single cycle clutch 186 performs one revolution and then is locked into engagement by the latch 192 to await the next cycle. During the single revolution of the clutch 1236, for about the first of the said revolution, the cams 194 and 196 in performing their rotation have caused the crash to be cut and formed around the book by the combined actions of the forming mechanism and the rake, and as the rake 223 is returning to its normal position and has passed the level of the crash feed, the crank assembly 234 is activated during the last about half of the cycle, and during this final phase of the cycle, the crank exerts a pull on rack 236 which is engaged with pinion 238 causing rotation of gear 244 which is mounted on shaft 242. A one-way clutch 24%) is the immediate driving force for gear 244. A clutch of this characteristic is, of course, necessary to permit rotation of the feed rollers in the one, forward feed, direction only. Gear 244 drives gear 246 which is fixedly mounted to the lower feed rollers 248. Gear 246, in turn engages and drives gear 259 to which are secured in fixed relationship the upper feed rollers 254. The gear 25% and the upper feed rollers 254 are mounted on shaft 252 to which there is journalled linlte 258 at about the mid-point of the length thereof. One end of this link is pivoted at 256, and the other end 26 is spring-loaded as by spring 262.

Following the crash station is the second glue station indicated at 12 on FIG. 1. This station is identical to the first glue station.

The next phase of the operation involves the application of the backlining and headband at the backlining and headband station. This station comprises, as described above, two major units, the backlining and headband unit 25 involving in the main the feed mechanism for these elements, and the backlining and headband application station 27 which encompasses the remaining part of the entire station.

The entire backlining and headband station derives its power from the main drive shaft 29 through chain 268 acting on sprocket wheel or gear 266. A switch and associated contact finger identical to the switch and contact finger 71 and 73 respectively activates this station similarly as the crash station. When the leading edge of the book makes contact with the finger of the switch two solenoids, through a relay, are each given a momentary impulse. These solenoids are shown as 278 and 299. Solenoid 278 controls the single cycle clutch 274 on the backlining and headband cam shaft 276. Mounted in a fixed position on this shaft are cams 270, 272, and 298. Associated with the cams 270 and 272 are cam rollers 282 and 284 and cam slots 281 and 283. Secured to the cam rollers 282 and 284 are the slides 334 and 336 respectively. At the upper end of the slide actuated by cam 270 is a linkage 340 having at the lower end of said linkage pivot 342 and at the upper end thereof pivot 344. Attached to slide 336 secured to earn 272 at the upper end of said slide is linkage 341. At the upper end of this linkage 341 is fulcrum 338. Both pivot 344 and fulcrum 333 are secured to knife assembly 331 in a manner similar in which linkage 216 and the upper portion of slide 260 are secured to the knife assembly of the crash station. At opposed ends of the knife assembly are lugs 346 and 348 which are guided in frame 265 to maintain an accurate and positive motion during the movement of earns 27% and 272. The knife assembly 331 consists of knife holder 332 and knife 330. Also mounted on shaft 276 and actuated by the engagement of clutch 274 is crank assembly 286 to which is secured rack 288 and pinion 296. This crank assembly through the action of the rack and pinion actuates one way clutch 239 and thereby puts into motion gear 292. This gear in turn drives gear 294 upon which is mounted on the same shaft lower feed roller 295. Gear 294 in turn drives gear 296 which is mounted on the same shaft and rigidly secured to upper feed roller 297. These sets of feed rollers, that is the lower and upper rollers, are

the feeding means for the combination of backlining and headband material. The upper feed roller is journalled on this shaft linkage 318 at one end of which is pivot 308 secured to the frame and at the other end, projection 312, which is spring-loaded by means of holddown spring 314 to the frame. As clearly shown in FIG. 21, the backline material 315 is fed from roller 316 around a plurality of rollers driven by timing belt 318 through glue assembly 321 wherein sufiicient glue is selectively applied to the backlining along approximately the edges thereof to permit adhesion of headband material 326 which as shown in the drawing is laminated by means of the glue to the backlining by means of opposed rollers 351 and 353.

As described above, also secured to main shaft 276 and put into actuation by clutch 274i is cam 298. Also as described above solenoid 299 which receives a. momentary impulse upon contact of the book with finger of the switch which actuates the entire station causing plunger 303 to be withdrawn into the solenoid and thereby creating a lift or upward movement of links 30 5 which are secured at the lower ends thereof to plunger 303 as at pivot 367. At the upper ends of said link 305 are pivots 309 which secure the links to bars 311. Lateral extensions of bars 311i appear as rods 313 and upon these rods there is mounted for slid'able movement carriage 325 which carries remova-ble platform 304. Engaging cam 298 is cam roller 301 which through ca m arm 300 is semi-rigidly pivotable to link 302. At the upper ends of link 3&2 and on lateral extensions therefrom are rollers 323 which engage fixed depending portions of the carriage for the platform. It will further be noted as particularly depicted in FIG. 21 that cam. arm 3&0 and link 302 are semi-rigidly associated by assembly 317 connected on the one hand to rearward extension 31$ of link 582 and to cam arm 360 in any suitable fashion and as specifically shown by a nut. The purpose of this assembly is to permit some play between the cam arm 300 and the linkage 302. This play can be adjusted by means of the aforementioned nut acting against the tension of the spring depicted. As also clearly shown in FIG. 21 we find vacuum pot 322. having a cover thereon 324 to which is connected vacuum tubing assembly 326. The vacuum which is produced in pivot 322 is accomplished by vacuum pump 328, shown in FIG. 1.

The general sequence of motions which takes place upon the actuation of the switch through contact or" the book with the finger of the switch followed by the momentary impulse imparted to the two solenoid of these stations is as follows. The plunger of solenoid 299' being actuated is withdrawn into the solenoid and causes platform 394 to be raised upwardly so as to adhesively secure backlining and head band material waiting on the platform to the back of the book. As the platform reaches the end of this upward movement cover 324 of the vacuum pot is lifted through coaction with plunger 30% and the vacuum in the entire system is broken. This permits the backlining material previously held on platform 304 by the vacuum applied from the underside thereof to be releasable upon engagement with the adhesive on the back of the book 1. Immediately after adhesive contact is made and since the impulse to the solenoid is momentary, the platform drops down immediately. The book has passed the station and the second phase of the operation of this station now takes place. The crank assembly is actuated in the latter half of the cycle and the motion of cams 270 and 272. This actuation imparts a downward motion of the rack and a rotary motion to the associated pinion. This in turn imparts motions to the feed rollers 295 and 297 causing the selected amount of backlining and head band material which is secured thereto to be fed under the knife 330. At this moment power transmitted from cams 27d and 272 via the cam rollers engaging these cams to slides 334 and 336 respectively causes a downward force through linkage 340 and the upper portion of slide 335. This causes the knife to be pulled down and cut backlining and headband material. Again as in the case of the similar cutting at the crash station, the action of the knife is a combination of pull-down on both ends with rotation around fulcrum 338 thereby producing a scissor-like action. In the meantime, the platform aserrt'bly with its associated platform which had previously dropped down after releasing the headband to the back of the book is simultaneously actuated through roller 301, cam arm 30d and linkage 362 to impart a sliding motion to the platform along rods 31?. This places the platform assembly directly beneath the knife at the extension and the cutting of the backlinin and headband occurs. Vacuum at this time, but again on the effect and the result, is a secured retention and proper alignment of the backlining and headband on removable platform 304. The final phase of the cycle involves a return of the platform assembly along rods 313 to its neutral position directly beneath the path of the oncoming books and a new cycle is now ready to begin.

The next phase of the operation of the machine relates to the rub-down station 16. This station comprises a pair of rollers and 77. These rollers are constituted in a manner similar to the application rollers of the glue stations, and comprise an air-filled rubber contacting surface mounted on a body, again, similar to the body of the glue application rollers. The rub-down rollers derive their power from sprocket 37 mounted on shaft 33. From this sprocket drive chain 39 drives sprocket wheel 43 which is mounted on shaft 41. Also mounted on this shaft is drive gear 45, which gear in turn drives simultaneously gears 49 and 47. The latter two drive gears are mounted in a fixed and secured manner on shafts 83 and 35 as shown in FIG. 25 of the drawings. Associated with the rub-down rolllers and mounted underneath said rollers is Water pot 79 containing during operation, water. The rub-down rollers are partially immersed in the water as shown in FIGS. 24 and 26.

The detailed operation of the machine beginning with a selected plurality of signatures which are to make up the book 1 will now be given.

With the motor 18 running, main drive shaft 29 has power transmitted to it through gear 22. As described above, however, none of the stations can be activated, nor is the chain conveyor system 9 in operation until clutch 24 is engaged. When this clutch is engaged by means of handle 28 not only does the chain conveyor system begin operating but through limit switch 30, ac tivation of each of the stations is effected due to the fact that this limit switch is in series, electrically, with the various switches 11 and 71 which control the activation and operation of the said individual stations. The machine is now ready to receive books. The plurality of signatures making up the book are then fed with the backs thereof down and in contour engagement with track 1 10 between guide rails 5 of feed station 6. The books are pushed along the track until the endless belts 7 of feed station 6 take over. In order to assure sufiicient time for each cycle at the various operational stations to occur the books are fed with about a four inch spacing between each book. The guide rails and belts have been previously set to the proper Width of the selected books. Also, the chain conveyor system, through the adjustment of the forward section thereof, has been set to accommodate the bulk of the books to be handled. This adjustment is carried out by means of handle 88 coacting through various gears and the like in the manner hereinbefore described. The spring--loading of the conveyor chains on the adjustable side is for the purpose of making allowances for variations in the bulk or thickness of the books which are fed to the machine. The book thereafter is immediately conveyed to the site of the first glue station 8, wherein the heater has been turned on to heat the fluid 141 in lower pot 140. This fluid, usually water, in turn heats the glue 139 in the upper pot 13-8 to put the 11 glue in the proper physical form for application to the backs 3 of the books. It is preferred to employ such an arrangement with a glue liquefiable with heat, since such hot-melt type glues set rapidly after application. The leading edge of the book first makes contact with finger 118 of the actuating switch assembly 11 but nothing happens until the second finger 119 is contacted by the leading edge of the book. The two fingers actually control two separate switches within switch assembly 11, and these two switches are in series so that no action takes place at the glue station unless both switches have been contacted in sequence. It is, of course, clear that the glue station has been set for proper adjustment of the applicator roller 12% to position it substantially centrally beneath the back of the book by means of handle T54 in the manner hereinbetore described. Upon contact of the leading edge of the book with the second finger of the switch, the electrical circuit is completed for activation of the solenoid 167, which through plunger 1:59 and the associated arms and plates hereinbefore described, lifts glue application roller 12% into contact with the bottom edge of the book by the arcuate movement of this roller around the brass pick-up roller 132. The book continues on its uninterrupted movement across the glue station while glue is applied to the back thereof by the application roller. By precisely selecting and controlling the position of the fingers of the two switches of the switch assembly 11, it is possible to control with great precision and accuracy the extent of the glue coverage from one end of the book to the other. Thus the machine is capable of starting the glue 1 from one end and ending it /2 from the other end. Obviously by varying the position of the fingers of the switch assembly an infinite number of settings may be had with respect to the extent of the glue coverage required for the crash to be applied next. By this technique and control it is possible to avoid the undesirable formation of beads of glue along the edges of the book. When the trailing edge or back end of the book passes the first finger of the switch assembly, the finger snaps back into its neutral position and breaks the series circuit which is the activating force for the entire operation. With the circuit broken, the solenoid releases the rubber application roller and permits its return downwardly in its are around the brass pick-up roller. The trailing edge of the book then passes the second finger of the switch assembly, and this finger, too, snaps back into its neutral position but no changes occur in the operation since the current has already been cutoff by the snap back of the first finger of the switch assembly. The book is now prepared for the next operation, which is the application of the proper length of crash material to the glue coating and impregnation on the back of the book.

As described above, all of the stations are in an activated condition due to the engagement of clutch 24, and, of course, the next station, the crash station, is in a similar active condition. The main power train to the crash station has been described above. The leading edge of the book once again makes contact with a finger 73 of switch 71, whereby all of the operations of the crash station are brought into action for one complete cycle. Switch 71 through a suitable relay activates solenoid 190 with a momentary impulse resulting in the disengagement of latch 192. and thereby permitting the single cycle clutch 185 on the cam shaft 232 to perform one complete cycle of the latter shaft. At the instant that the leading edge of the book has initiated a cycle of the station by conact with finger 73. the selected length of crash is already in position from the end of the previous cycle. The initial operations which occur at the crash station are the upward and rotatable movements of the forming or lifting bars 222, which result in the cutting of the crash and the immediate forming thereof around the back of the book as so clearly depicted in FIG. 18, and then the follow-up upward movement of the rake 223 which exerts a slight pressure against the back of the book to cause a firm bonding of the crash to the adhesively coated back 3 of book 1. The rake and crash-forming mechanism having reach their upper most position due to the actions of the cams now retract and as the rake decends past the level of the crash feed plane, the crank assembly 234 is activated, and the manifestation of this activation is a pull on rack 236, which by virtue of the latters engagement with pinion 238 causes one-way clutch 240 to rotate and drive the crash feed rollers 248 and 25 The amount of crash fed by these rollers is equal to the distance moved by a point on the periphery of the feed rollers, and this, of course, is dependent upon the length of the stroke of the rack, which is adjustable by the crank assembly. The cycle is completed and the station comes to a halt as the selected length of crash is fed out under the next book carried by the chain conveyor system. Immediately as this next book engages the finger of the switch '71, the cycle is repeated. As the book proceeds with the crash adhesively secured to the back thereof and partially formed around the sides, those portions of the crash adjacent to sides 21 and 23 of the book are picked up by the two forming bars 81 set about A. up from the bottom of the books and extending to the end of the machine. These forming bars hold the crash against the sides of the book until the book is delivered from the machine.

From the crash station, the books are moved along to the next glue station 12, preparatory to the application of the backlining and headband material. This glue station, as explained above, is identical to the first glue station 8. At glue station 12 glue is again applied to the back of the books ever a predetermined and selected area controlled by the two-fingered, series-connected, double switch similar to the switch at the first glue station. The continuously moving book is now ready for the second sheet applying phase of the operation, which is the application of the backlining and headband together as a composite structure in the preferred form. It is, of course, possible to omit the headband or the backlining but the versatility of the machine of the present invention makes the application of both elements the preferred manner of operation.

The entire backlining and headband station is activated as described above by a switch similar to the switch employed at the site of the crash station. As the leading edge of the book makes contact with finger 73 of the switch 71, through a relay, two solenoids are given a momentary impulse. Platform 304 raises up, and the vacuum securing the precut sheet of backlining and headband to the platform is broken enabling the sheet to transfer to the back of the book at the moment of the adhesive contact with the glue on the said back. The book continues on its path to the next station while the platform drops down. The second half of the cycle now occurs which involves the feeding of another length of backlining and headband material, as depicted in FIG. 21 from separate feed rollers, the backlining 315 receiving a coating of glue along the edges thereof. Rollers 351 and 353 cause adherence and lamination of the travelling web of headband to the similarly travelling web of backlining, the composite webs are then fed by rollers 295 and 297 until the selected length thereof is fed under the knife. The latter then cuts the web and it drops onto the platform and is secured thereto by the vacuum through lines 326, which vacuum is again actuated in the second half of the cycle. The platform then returns to its neutral position beneath the next oncoming book, and a new cycle is then ready to begin.

After leaving the backlining and headband station, the book continues, again, without any pause or interruption in the forward motion thereof, to the final station, the rub-down station 16. The rollers of this station are revolving in the bath of water, and the rollers are so ad- 13 justed in height and contour by the proper amount of air contained therein that they are about A above the bottom of the book causing them to be depressed when the books pass over the said rollers. The wiping action of the rollers results in a smooth back to the book. Any glue which might be picked up by the rollers is washed off in the water, and the roller is scraped clean after emerging from the water. The amount of air within the rollers also determines the amount of pressure applied to the bottom of the books by the rollers. Following the rollers are two rows of plastic fingers or strips 264, each backed by a flat spring, over which the bottom edges of the book pass. These fingers are preferably made of Teflon or similar material.

Finally, as described above, the books are disengaged from the chain conveyor system and taken over by the endless belt system of the delivery station, which delivers the books to a suitable collection element such as a table.

While the present invention has been described with particular reference to a specific embodiment, it is clear and to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, but is to be construed broadly and is intended to cover all forms and arrangements that come within the definition and scope of the instant invention as covered by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of glue, the combination of glue applying means, sheet applying means, a book feed means, a a book delivery means and means to continuously convey books from the feed means, first past the glue applying means then to the sheet applying means and finally to the book delivery means, said glue applying means comprising a pick-up roller and an application roller having a resilient surface which is in glue pick-up contact therewith at all times, means to move said application roller into glue applying position, means responsive to the movement of the books to actuate said application roller moving means, the application roller at its area of contact 'With the pick-up being in complete surface conformance therewith at all times and the said application roller when in glue applying position further adapted to conform to the back of books whereby a uniform and uninterrupted film of glue can be applied to the glued book backs.

2. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of glue, the combination of glue applying means, sheet applying means, a book feed means, a book delivery means and means to convey books from the feed means, first past the glue applying means then to the sheet applying means and finally to the book delivery means, said glue applying means comprising a pickup roller and an application roller in glue pick-up contact therewith at all times, the application roller at its area of contact with the pick-up being in complete surface conformance therewith at all times and the said application roller when in glue applying position further adapted to conform to the back of books whereby a uniform and uninterrupted film of glue can be applied to the glued book backs, the said application roller being fluid-filled and comprising a resilient glue applying surface.

3. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of glue, the combination of glue applying means, sheet applying means, a book feed means, a book delivery means and means to convey books from the feed means, first past the glue applying means then to the sheet applying means and finally to the book delivery means, said glue applying means comprising a pickup roller and an application roller in glue pick-up contact therewith at all times, the application roller at its area of contact with the pick-up being in complete surface conformance therewith at all times and the said application roller when in glue applying position further adapted to conform to the back of books whereby a uni- 14 form and uninterrupted film of glue can be applied to the glued book backs, the said application roller comprising a fluid filled roller having a resilient glue applying surface and having means associated therewith for varying the pressure of the fluid contained therein.

4. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of glue, the combination of glue applying means, sheet applying means, a book feed means, a book delivery means and means to convey books from the feed means, first past the glue applying means then to the sheet applying means and finally to the book delivery means, said glue applying means comprising a pick-up roller and an application roller in glue pick-up contact therewith at all times, the application roller at its area of contact with the pick-up being in complete surface conformance therewith at all times and the said application roller when in glue applying position further adapted to conform to the back of books whereby a uniform and uninterrupted film of glue can be applied to the glued book backs, the said application roller comprising a fluidfilled roller having a resilient glue applying surface having valve means associated with the interior of said roller whereby pressure of the air contained therein may be varied to yield a surface varying from concave to convex.

5. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of glue, said machine comprising horizontally disposed continuously operated conveyor means adapted to carry books through a plurality of operations in the machine with the backs in downwardly disposed positions, said conveyor means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying thickness, said plurality of operations being carried out by means spaced along the con- .veyor path, at least two of said means being glue means,

and at least two of said means being sheet applying means, a plurality of actuating means adjacent said conveyor for activating each of said gluing and sheet applying means and wherein the movement of each book on the conveyor sequentially operates each of said actuating means, each of the glue means followed by one of the said sheet applying means and the second of the said sheet applying means comprising a slidably mounted platform adapted to hold in a fixed and predetermined position a first selected length of sheet material and further adapted to move into position to receive another second selected length of sheet material after release of the first length to the book back and return to the first predetermined position.

6. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of glue, said machine comprising horizontally disposed continuously operated conveyor means adapted to carry books through a plurality of operations in the machine with the backs in downwardly disposed positions, said conveyor means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying thickness, said plurality of operations being carried out by means spaced along the conveyor path, at least two of said means being glue means, and at least two of said means being sheet applying means, a plurality of actuating means adjacent said conveyor for activating each of said gluing and sheet applying means and wherein the movement of each book on the conveyor sequentialy operates each of said actuating means, each of the glue means followed by one of the said sheet applying means and the second of the said sheet applying means comprising a slidably mounted platform adapted to hold in a fixed and predetermined position a first selected length of sheet material and further adapted to move into position to receive another second selected length of sheet material after release of the first length to the book back and return to the first predetermined position, each of the said glue means comprising an airfilled rubber applicator roller adapted to conform to the book backs.

7. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of glue, said machine comprising horizontally disposed continuously operated conveyor means adapted to carry books through a plurality of operations in the machine with the backs in downwardly disposed positions, said conveyor means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying thickness, said plurality of operations being carried out by means spaced along the conveyor path, at least two of said means being glue means, and at least two of said means being sheet applying means, a plurality of actuating means adjacent said conveyor for activating each of said gluing and sheet applying means and wherein the movement of each book on the conveyor sequentially operates each of said actuating means, each of the glue means followed by one of the said sheet applying means and the second of the said sheet applying means comprising a slidably mounted platform adapted to hold in a fixed and predetermined position a first selected length of sheet material and further adapted to move into position to receive another second selected length of sheet material after release of the first length to the book back and return to the first predetermined position, each of the said glue means comprising a fluid-filled applicator roller adapted to conform to the book backs, the actuating means for said glue means comprising a series connected double acting switch whereby exact control of the glue area on the back of the book is obtained.

8. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of glue, said machine comprising horizontally disposed continuously operated conveyor means adapted to carry books through a plurality of operations in the machine with the backs in downward disposed posilions, said conveyor means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying thickness, said plurality of operations being carried out by means spaced along the conveyor path, at least two of said means being glue means, and at least two of said means being sheet applying means, a plurality of actuating means adjacent said conveyor for activating each of said gluing and sheet applying means and wherein the movement of each book on the conveyor sequentially operates each of said actuating means, each of the glue means followed by one of the said sheet applying means and the second of the said sheet applying means comprising a slidably mounted platform adapted to hold in a fixed and predetermined position a first selected length of sheet material and further adapted to move into position to receive another second selected length of sheet material after release of the first length to the book back and return to the first predetermined, each of the said glue means comprising a fluid-filled applicator roller adapted to conform to the book backs, the actuating means for said glue means comprising a series connected double acting switch whereby exact control of the glue area on the back of the book is obtained, means for movably mounting said switch whereby said glue area is selectively spaced inwardly from both the leading and trailing edges of the book and thereby preventing the formation of beads of glue at the said edges.

9. In a machine for applying sheet material to book backs by means of a hot melt adhesive, said machine comprising a continuously operated horizontally disposed conveyor means adapted to carry books from a feed means to a delivery means with the backs of the said books in a downwardly disposed position, said conveyor means comprising a pair of endless belt means, one of the said means being adjustable to accommodate books of varying thickness, disposed between said feed means and said delivery means, and spaced along the conveyor path, at least two glue means and at least two sheet applying means, each of the glue means followed by one of the said sheet applying means, each of the said glue applying means and the said sheet applying means being adapted to perform the glue applying and sheet applying functions while the said conveyor means is continuously in motion, and wherein each of the glue applying means comprises a fluid-filled applicator roller adapted to conform to the book backs, the said glue applying means being actuated by a series connected double acting switch whereby exact control of the glue area on the back of the book is obtained, the said glue area being spaced inwardly from both the leading and trailing edges of the book and thereby preventing the formation of beads of glue at the said edges.

10. In an apparatus for applying glue to book backs, the combination of a book feed means, means to continuously convey books from the feed means and along a predetermined path, and glue applying means comprising a glue pick-up roller and an application roller in constant contact with said pick-up roller, means to move said application roller whereby the peripheral surface thereof is selectively moved into or out of the path of movement of said book backs, actuating means for said roller moving means positioned in said book path whereby the movement of each book against said actuating means will cause said application roller to move into contact with the book back and the movement of each book past said actuating means will cause said application roller to move out of contact with the book back.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said applicator roller comprises a fluid-filled rubber roller adapted to be in complete surface conformance with said pick-up roller and to conform to the backs of said books whereby a uniform and uninterrupted film of glue can be applied to said book backs.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said actuating means comprisesa series connected double acting switch whereby exact control of the glue area on the book back is obtained.

13. in an apparatus for binding books comprising a continuously operated conveyor means for successively conveying books through a predetermined path, a glue applying means and a sheet applying means operatively spaced along said book path, said glue applying means comprising a pick-up roller and an application roller which is in glue pick-up contact therewith at all times, means to selectively move said application roller into glue applying relationship with each book, means positioned along said book path and responsive to the passage of each book to actuate said application roller whereby glue is applied to each said continuously moving book, means to move said sheet applying means into operational relationship with a book, means positioned along said book path and responsive to the passage of each book to actuate said sheet applying means whereby a sheet is applied to each said continuously moving book.

14. In an apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said sheet applying means comprises a sheet carrier means movable between a first position spaced from said book path and a second position in operational relationship with each continuously moving book, means to feed a sheet to said carrier means, means responsive to the moving of said carrier means to said first position to actuate said feed means to feed a sheet thereto, means to transfer a sheet from said carrier to each continuously moving book, and means responsive to the moving of said carrier to said second position to actuate said transfer means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 982,438 Murray Jan. 24, 1911 1,805,157 Ackley May 12, 1931 1,870,348 Sieb Aug. 9, 1932 2,357,349 Norton Sept. 5, 1944 2,874,674 Hornbostel Feb. 24, 1959 

5. IN A MACHINE FOR APPLYING SHEET MATERIAL TO BOOK BACKS BY MEANS OF GLUE, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED CONVEYOR MEANS ADAPTED TO CARRY BOOKS THROUGH A PLURALITY OF OPERATIONS IN THE MACHINE WITH THE BACKS IN DOWNWARDLY DISPOSED POSITIONS, SAID CONVEYOR MEANS BEING ADJUSTABLE TO ACCOMMODATE BOOKS OF VARYING THICKNESS, SAID PLURALITY OF OPERATIONS BEING CARRIED OUT BY MEANS SPACED ALONG THE CONVEYOR PATH, AT LEAST TWO OF SAID MEANS BEING GLUE MEANS, AND AT LEAST TWO OF SAID MEANS BEING SHEET APPLYING MEANS, A PLURALITY OF ACTUATING MEANS ADJACENT SAID CONVEYOR FOR ACTIVATING EACH OF SAID GLUING AND SHEET APPLYING MEANS AND WHEREIN THE MOVEMENT OF EACH BOOK ON THE CONVEYOR SEQUENTIALLY OPERATES EACH OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS, EACH OF THE GLUE MEANS FOLLOWED BY ONE OF THE SAID SHEET APPLYING MEANS AND THE SECOND OF THE SAID SHEET APPLYING MEANS COMPRISING A SLIDABLY MOUNTED PLATFORM ADAPTED TO HOLD IN A FIXED AND PREDETERMINED POSITION A FIRST SELECTED LENGTH OF SHEET MATERIAL AND FURTHER ADAPTED TO MOVE INTO POSITION TO RECEIVE ANOTHER SECOND SELECTED LENGTH OF SHEET MATERIAL AFTER RELEASE OF THE FIRST LENGTH TO THE BOOK BACK AND RETURN TO THE FIRST PREDETERMINED POSITION. 